The Philadelphia Eagles and PPL Corporation announced a project to build and operate solar energy panels at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia is now up and operating as part of the Eagles’ GO GREEN Program.

PPL Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation of Allentown, Pa., designed and constructed the innovative solar system that converts energy from sunlight into electricity.

The solar panels, which track the sun throughout the day, were installed at the team's training and practice complex in August 2007 and are the first of their kind in Pennsylvania.

The solar panels are expected to produce 16,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, eliminating 26,400 pounds of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emissions annually. The amount of carbon emissions saved equates to planting 67 trees each year.

When the GO GREEN campaign was introduced, the organization researched and familiarized itself with environmental efforts focused around purchasing electricity from green energy sources.

“The (GO GREEN) campaign has continued to grow. We believe these solar panels are an important step in the process of greening our team. The panels are a constant reminder, to our employees, players, coaches and visitors (who pass them daily), that we all need to reduce our environmental footprint," said Eagles owner Christina Lurie.

"PPL is excited to be a part of the Eagles' efforts to enhance renewable energy in Pennsylvania," said Steve Gabrielle, business development manager of PPL Renewable Energy. "This solar energy project will produce electricity cleanly and efficiently, and help to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas."

The purchase of solar panels to offset energy consumption is just one example of the Eagles multifaceted GO GREEN campaign. Other efforts include the Eagles initiative to purchase enough wind energy to power all 10 home games, the team's employee reimbursement program for wind energy purchases, and the GO ZERO program that will help offset emissions caused by away-game air travel.

GO GREEN is a way of life for the Eagles organization and a rallying effort both on and off the field.

PPL Renewable Energy already has developed renewable energy projects that total more than 15 megawatts of generation -- enough to power 12,000 homes. These include solar panel installations and landfill gas projects in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

For more information, visit the Eagles GO GREEN webpage.

11/9/2007